New bill to increase salaries of clergy

A bill recently drafted by the Culture Ministry aims to increase the salaries of the clergy and provide funds for reconstructing religious centres. Besides raising the average monthly salary for clerics, which according to the ministry currently stands at €480, special funds should be allocated for refurbishing church buildings. "One issue to be considered here is the fact that the clergy often reside in buildings listed as protected monuments, so there's a need to be very sensitive with any reconstruction activities," culture minister Ľubica Laššáková told the TASR news agency. The bill designed for the 18 religious communities registered in Slovakia will stipulate the provision of state funds for their worship activities, staff salaries, and cultural, social and education activities for children and youth.